Lent: Ember Saturday (March 4th) the day Christ was entombed. (Fast and half-abstinence)
by VP
Posted on Saturday March 04, 2023 at 07:54AM in Prayers
"There are two main purposes for the Ember days: “ the consecration of the four seasons to God and the ordination of the clergy.
With
regard to the first; gratitude for God’s gifts is a leading feature in
each of the four fasts, for gratitude is the best means of drawing down
His future blessings in the preservation of the fruits of the earth.
"As
to the second point; the importance of the periodical ordinations of
the clergy cannot be overrated. All good Catholics must needs feel an
interest in the future priests of the Church, for ordination not only
confers an immense privilege on those who are ordained, but also affects
the salvation of those souls, who are hereafter to be entrusted to
their care. The recurrence of the Ember Days should, therefore, remind
all to pray:
1.for vocations to the priesthood, that God would send fit laborers for reaping the harvest;
2. that those about to be ordained may be filled with the true spirit of their high calling;
3. for the success of the labors of the bishops and clergy, both secular and regular, as also for their welfare.
To
obtain these blessings from God, the fast, (which is of strict
obligation) on the Ember Days, should be offered. The value of fasting
as a penitential exercise is too well known to need explanation here,
but it may be remarked that when it is practiced in obedience to the
Church, its efficacy is increased a hundred-fold. By those not able to
fast, other good works are usually substituted. Prayer and fasting,
therefore, are joined together, after the example of the Apostles, who
“fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them
away.” (…)
We may sum up what has already been said by stating
that the three good works, styled eminent, are inculcated upon us at the
Ember seasons. Prayer and Fasting hold a prominent place; St. Leo, who
said so much on Ember Days, adds Almsgiving: “Let us spend in good
deeds,” he says, “what we take from indulgence.” No better time than
the Ember Days could be chosen to lay aside, or offer, and alms towards
the support of candidates for the priesthood; or for an object which is
equally important, the maintenance of the clergy in general.
To
carry out with success these intentions of the Church at Ember-tide, no
new confraternity need be established; all that is required is a full
appreciation of the spirit of the Church as manifested in her Liturgy
and observances, when these seasons come round.
The test of true
love for our Lord, as His own words tell, is obedience to His will. We
may apply to the Church, His representative, and her ordinances, this
same test of true love, which He Himself has given: “If you love Me,
Keep My commandments.”
Source: The Ember Days, by Dom Columba Edmonds, OSB the Catholic Truth Society, Vol 32 1897
Mass Propers for Ember Saturday
Prayers for Ember Days:
Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy Holy Service of the Altar, in particular on Deacon Nicolas Rapkoch. Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy great name and the benefit of Thy Holy Church. Amen
O
God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the
treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts thou hast
bestowed upon us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of
Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our good.
Grant that
the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and multiply.
Defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may
be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor,
and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Amen.
Source: St. John's Manual 1856, Archbishop of New York John J. Hugues
Devotions for Ember days:
- Diving into the Catholic Treasury: A Revival of the Ember Days by Canon Huberfelt, ICRSS
- Renewal and the Penitential Life by Msgr. Ingham
- The Seven Penitential Psalms (Msgr. Ingham, audio)
- Seven Penitential Psalms (Latin/English)
- Litany of Saints
- Litany to Obtain Holy Priests
- Holy Hour of Adoration and Reparation for Priests
- Stations of the Cross for Priests (Especially for those who are suffering persecution)
- The Rosary to Our Lady of Sorrows dedicated for Priests, (by Fr. Scott McCaig,CC on the occasion of the Year for Priest, 2009)